JP2012108214A - Fiber optic transceiver module release mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical transceiver module release mechanism in which, while an optical connector is connected, an optical transceiver module cannot be removed from a cage.SOLUTION: A release mechanism includes a bail 115, to which a cam is attached, rotating a U-shaped flange through a two-stage travel path to urge the bail forward in a slide path on a transceiver module 105. When an operator moves the bail forward, a plurality of wedge elements at a pair of ends of a plurality of slide arms extending rearward from the bail may contact a plurality of locking tabs 130 on a cage 110 and force the plurality of locking tabs outward, and shoulders of the transceiver are released, so that the transceiver module is free to slide out of the cage. Thus, unless an optical connector plug attached to a plug bay 140 is removed, the bail cannot be rotated, so that the transceiver module cannot be removed from the cage.

Description

  [0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic connector devices. More specifically, the present invention is an optical fiber transceiver release mechanism.

  [0002] Computers, related peripherals, and satellites and communication systems have developed very rapidly in recent years. These systems require a constantly increasing data transfer rate to perform the most complex tasks driving processes such as digital signal processing, image analysis, and communications. With current requirements, optocouplers are used to transfer signals over short or long distances between computers, between two circuit boards within a computer, and even between multiple chips on a single printed circuit board. The Using high speed optical signals instead of electrical interconnects increases the achievable data transfer rate.

  [0003] Optical transmitter / receiver modules typically include both a light emitting element such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a light detecting element such as a photodiode. A driver / receiver circuit module, usually in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, includes a driver circuit that receives an electrical signal from one element and drives the VCSEL in response. The ASIC also includes receiver circuitry that receives signals from the photodiodes and processes them in response to appropriate outputs. The combination of VCSEL, photodiode, and ASIC circuit is commonly referred to as an optical transceiver.

  [0004] As the density of an optical array increases, coupling fiber optic cables to the array becomes a more complex task. It is very important to match the working area of each emitter and detector to the corresponding fiber of the fiber optic bundle. Accordingly, the importance of the mechanical connection means increases correspondingly. Thus, fiber optic connectors are extremely interesting in current technology. Therefore, improvements in reliability and ease of manufacture of such connectors are always awaited.

  [0005] In an interesting application of the present invention, a local connector (LC) plug is placed in a pair of chambers in a fiber optic transceiver module housed in a cage that is attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) for an extended period of time. Accepted. It is essential for data integrity that the connector means hold the LC plug in place during data transmission or reception. It is equally important that when a user wants to remove the transceiver module from the cage, it can know if the LC plug is in use.

JP 2006-276468 A (Related application by the present applicant)

  [0006] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a release mechanism for a transceiver module. The mechanism can include a bale that is rotatably mounted on the transceiver module. The bale can include a U-shaped flange that partially surrounds the arm assembly so that the bale does not easily separate from the arm assembly or transceiver module. The arm assembly can house the body in a bale and can further include a plurality of pairs of arms extending rearwardly. The plurality of arms can include wedge-shaped elements at their distal ends, and the wedge-shaped elements can include angled or inclined or arcuate surfaces.

  [0007] The transceiver module can be constructed to be received in a cage that is attached to a printed circuit board. The cage can include a plurality of securing tabs in the side panels that fit into the opening of the transceiver module and secure the module in the cage.

  [0008] To release the transceiver from the module, the bale can move in a two-stage travel path. First, when the shaft pin moves in the slot in the arm assembly and the U-shaped flange moves through the first stage of the eccentric cam slot, the bale moves into the fixed position without moving the transceiver module from the mounting position. To about 45 degrees arc. The bale can then be further rotated to move the U-shaped flange through the second stage of the eccentric cam slot. It should be noted that as long as the transceiver module plug bay is used (occupied) for the plug, the bale is not likely to be able to complete its rotation.

  [0009] Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of releasably securing a transceiver module within a cage. Such a method includes the following steps of forming a cage with locking tabs on both sides and an opening therein for receiving the locking tab when the transceiver module is inserted into the cage Forming a transceiver module; providing an arm assembly having a pair of a plurality of arms extending rearwardly, wherein a body of the arm assembly is received in a nested manner in a bale; and transmitting and receiving A bale rotatably mounted on the tip of the machine module, the bale including a U-shaped flange that at least partially surrounds the inner and outer surfaces of the arm assembly, and rotating the bale over the first arc to Releasing the locking position; and further rotating the bale to release the locking tab from the opening. That.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a transceiver module with a release mechanism and mounted in a cage, according to an embodiment of the invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transceiver module with a bale removed from a cage and in a fixed position. [0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a transceiver module with a bale in a release position. [0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of a transceiver module with a bale in a release position. [0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bale and arm assembly. [0015] FIG.

  [0016] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a fiber optic transceiver release mechanism illustrated in FIGS. This release mechanism can be used on a transceiver module 105 that can be received in a cage 110 that is mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown), typically for an extended period of time. The release mechanism can include a bail (frame member) 115 with a handle 120. The handle 120 of the bail 115 can include a finger plate 125 that is conveniently formed to provide a means for a user to easily grasp the handle 120.

  [0017] The transceiver module 105 can be held in place within the cage 110 by a pair of a plurality of securing tabs 130 formed as part of the side plate of the cage 110. A plurality of securing tabs 130 may protrude inside the cage to contact the transceiver module 105 when the transceiver module 105 is inserted into the cage 110. The plurality of securing tabs 130 can be received in a plurality of openings 205 defined in both sides of the transceiver module housing 210 when the transceiver module 105 is fully inserted into the cage 110.

  [0018] When the transceiver module 105 is inserted into the cage 110, the planar segment 215 of the transceiver module housing 210 contacts the plurality of securing tabs 130 so that the transceiver module 105 can slide within the cage 110. Then, the plurality of fixing tabs 130 are pushed outward. When the transceiver module 105 is in place in the cage 110, the plurality of securing tabs 130 bounce back into the plurality of openings 205 on each side of the module housing 210 (elastically returned). Thus, the transceiver module 105 cannot be removed from the cage 110 until the plurality of securing tabs 130 are released.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the structure of the bale 115 and arm assembly 505. The bail 115 can be mounted on the module housing 210 with an arm assembly 505 that includes a pair of multiple extension arms 510. The bale 115 can be rotatably attached to the transceiver module housing 210 by a shaft pin 135 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that passes through a slot 515 in the arm assembly 505.

  [0020] A plurality of wedge-shaped elements 520 are at the rear ends of the plurality of arms 510, and the plurality of wedge-shaped elements 520 can each include an angled or arcuate surface 525. When the release mechanism is moved, due to the angled or arcuate surface 525, the plurality of wedge-shaped elements 520 move (push out) the plurality of locking tabs 130 from a fixed position out of the path of the transceiver module 105 in the cage 110. ) Becomes possible. The plurality of wedge-shaped elements 520 and the plurality of arms 510 can at least partially define a plurality of openings 135 in the transceiver module 105.

  [0021] The bail 115 may include a U-shaped flange 530 that is received in an eccentric cam slot 535 formed in the arm assembly 505. The U-shaped flange 530 can wrap around (wrap around) the arm assembly 505 (through the cam slot 535) such that the flange 530 contacts both the inner and outer surfaces of the arm assembly 505. . The U-shaped structure of the flange 530 prevents the bail 115 from separating from the arm assembly 505 and the transceiver module 105 by surrounding the arm assembly 505.

  [0022] The bail 115 may be constructed with a plurality of tabs 540 that extend from the rear portions of the sides of the body of the bail 115 to define a plurality of slots 545. A plurality of bosses 550 projecting from the transceiver module housing 210 may be received in the plurality of slots 545 to secure the bail 115 in the fixed position illustrated in FIGS.

  [0023] The bale 115 has a two-stage travel path during the release process. To initiate release, the user uses handle 120 to rotate bale 115. As the bail 115 rotates forward, the tab 540 of the bale 115 is removed from the boss 550, releasing the bail 115 from its locked position. As the bale rotates through an arc of about 45 degrees, the flange 530 moves through the first step 555 of the cam slot.

  [0024] As the bail 115 rotates past 45 degrees, the flange 530 moves into the second step 560 of the cam slot. Next, the flange 530 contacts the tip of the second step 560 of the cam slot, and the arm assembly 505 is pulled forward. As the arms 510 move forward with the arm assembly 505, the angled or arcuate surfaces 525 of the wedge elements 520 press against the securing tabs 130 of the cage 110. The forward movement of the plurality of wedge-shaped elements 520 urges the plurality of securing tabs 130 from the inside of the cage 110 to the outside. The arm assembly 505 can move forward until the rear end of the slot 515 contacts the shaft pin 135. At this point, the arms 510 are moved sufficiently forward and the angled or arcuate surfaces 525 of the wedge-shaped elements 520 move away from the inside of the transceiver module 105 by moving the locking tabs 130. Let Thus, the transceiver module 105 slides freely out of the cage 110 as the operator continues to pull the bail 115. Here, the bale 115 is in the release position shown in FIGS.

  [0025] Unless any attached LC plug (not shown) is removed from the plug bay 140 of the transceiver module 105, the bail 115 completes the rotation necessary to release the transceiver module 105. Note that you cannot. This feature provides a double safety method that ensures that the transceiver module 105 cannot be reliably removed from the cage 110 while the LC plug is in place, thereby preventing accidental data transmission interruptions. To avoid.

  [0026] The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the invention. Since these embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures, various modifications or alterations of the described methods and / or specific structures will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the description and figures herein. It will be obvious. All changes, modifications, or variations that depend on the teachings of the invention and that advance the teachings of the teachings are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the description and drawings should not be taken in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention by no means is limited to only the described embodiments.

105 transceiver module 110 cage 115 bale 120 handle 130 locking tab 135 shaft pin 140 plug bay 205 opening 210 transceiver module housing 505 arm assembly 510 expansion arm 515 slot 520 wedge-shaped element 525 angled or arcuate surface 530 U-shaped flange 535 Eccentric cam slot 545 Slot 550 Boss 555 First stage of cam slot (first stage)
560 Second stage of cam slot (second stage)

Claims (20)

In the release mechanism for the transceiver module,
A bale rotatably mounted on the transceiver module, including a U-shaped flange;
An arm assembly nested within the bail, comprising a pair of arms extending rearwardly; and
A cage for receiving the transceiver module, the cage comprising a plurality of securing tabs in opposing side panels, the cage mounted on a printed circuit board; and A bale is rotatably mounted on the transceiver module by a shaft, the shaft passes through a slot in the arm assembly, and the U-shaped flanges are an inner surface and an outer surface of the arm assembly. And the plurality of arms includes an element that receives the plurality of securing tabs of the cage.   The plurality of arms each include a wedge-shaped element at a distal end thereof, the wedge-shaped element defining at least a portion of an opening, the opening being the plurality of securing tabs in the opening. The release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism receives one of the following.   The plurality of arms each include a wedge-shaped element at a distal end thereof, wherein the wedge-shaped element contacts one of the plurality of securing tabs when the bale moves forward, The release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking tabs are pushed outward.   4. A release mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the wedge-shaped elements each comprise an angled or arcuate surface.   The bail includes a tab projecting from a main portion of the bale, the tab defining a slot, the slot receiving a boss projecting from a handle to secure the bail in a fixed position. The release mechanism according to 1.   The bale moves in a two-stage travel path, the shaft pin moves in the slot, and when the U-shaped flange moves through the first stage of an eccentric cam slot, the bale moves the transceiver module The rotation of the arc of about 45 degrees from the fixed position without moving from the mounting position, the bale further rotating to move the U-shaped flange through the second stage of the eccentric cam slot. Release mechanism.   When the bale moves over a 45 degree arc from a fixed position, the transceiver module remains in the mounting position and the bale completes the 45 degree arc as long as the transceiver module plug bay is used for a plug. The release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism cannot. In the release mechanism for the transceiver module,
A bale rotatably mounted on the transceiver module, the bale including a U-shaped flange;
An arm assembly nested within the bail, the arm assembly including a pair of a plurality of arms extending rearwardly;
A cage for receiving the transceiver module, the cage comprising a plurality of securing tabs in opposing side panels, the cage mounted on a printed circuit board;
The bale is rotatably mounted on the transceiver module by a shaft, the shaft passes through a slot in the arm assembly, and the U-shaped flange extends from an inner surface and an outer surface of the arm assembly. Enclosing both of the surfaces, the plurality of arms includes a wedge-shaped element at a distal end of the plurality of arms, and when the release mechanism is in a fixed position, the handle is in a rearmost position in the sliding path. And at least one of the plurality of securing tabs protrudes into the sliding path to secure the transceiver module, and when the bale rotates to a release position, the handle moves forward in the sliding path. In order to move to a position and move at least one of the fixing tabs out of the sliding path, the wedge-shaped element has at least one of the plurality of fixings So as to press the blanking, thereby freeing the transceiver module from the cage, the release mechanism.   9. A release mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the wedge-shaped elements each comprise an angled or arcuate surface.   The bail includes a tab projecting from a main portion of the bale, the tab defining a slot, the slot receiving a boss projecting from the handle to secure the bail in a fixed position. Item 9. The release mechanism according to Item 8.   The bale moves in a two-stage travel path, the shaft pin moves in the slot, and when the U-shaped flange moves through the first stage of an eccentric cam slot, the bale moves the transceiver module 9. Rotating over an arc of about 45 degrees from a fixed position without moving from the mounting position, the bale further rotates to move the U-shaped flange through the second stage of the eccentric cam slot. Release mechanism.   When the bale moves over a 45 degree arc from a fixed position, the transceiver module remains in the mounting position and the bale completes the 45 degree arc as long as the transceiver module plug bay is used for a plug. 9. A release mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the release mechanism cannot. In a method for releasably securing a transceiver module in a cage,
Forming a cage with a plurality of securing tabs in opposing sides;
Forming the transceiver module, the transceiver module comprising an opening in the transceiver module for receiving the securing tab when the transceiver module is inserted into the cage; Forming step;
Providing an arm assembly, the arm assembly having a pair of a plurality of arms extending rearward, wherein a body of the arm assembly is telescopically accommodated in a bale; Providing a solid;
Mounting the bail rotatably on a tip of the transceiver module, the bale including a U-shaped flange, the U-shaped flange at least partially covering an inner surface and an outer surface of the arm assembly; Attaching the bail surrounding the
Rotating the bale over a first arc to release the bale from a fixed position;
Further rotating the bale to release the plurality of securing tabs from the opening.   Providing the arm assembly further includes providing a wedge-shaped element at a distal end of each arm, the wedge-shaped element defining at least a portion of an opening, the opening comprising the opening The method of claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of securing tabs is received in an opening.   Further rotating the bale such that the wedge-shaped element at the distal end of each arm contacts one of the plurality of securing tabs, and the plurality of securing tabs are pushed outward; The method of claim 13, thereby releasing the transceiver module.   The method of claim 14, wherein the wedge-shaped elements each comprise an angled or arcuate surface.   16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the wedge-shaped elements each comprise an angled or arcuate surface.   The bail includes a tab projecting from a main portion of the bale, the tab defining a slot, the slot receiving a boss projecting from the handle to secure the bail in a fixed position; The method of claim 13.   Rotating the bale moves the pin in the slot, and when the U-shaped flange moves through the first stage of the eccentric cam slot, moves the bale without moving the transceiver module from the mounting position. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein moving over a 45 degree arc from a fixed position, the bale further rotates to move the U-shaped flange through a second stage of the eccentric cam slot.   14. The method of claim 13, wherein the bale cannot complete both rotation steps as long as the transceiver module plug bay is used for a plug.